Springfield City Council approves new contract for building inspectors with residency requirement; delays approval of Central High School science lab project

01/14/13-Springfield-Staff Photo by Dave Roback- Springfield City Council president James J. Ferrera III, center, announces the new committee chairs and committees at Springfield City Hall on Monday. From left, city councilors Zaida Luna, Tim Allen, Ferrera, Clodo Concepcion and Bud L. Williams.

SPRINGFIELD – The City Council approved a newly ratified, two-year contract with city building inspectors on Monday, the first agreement reached with a municipal union since contracts expired on June 30, and also containing a residency requirement for any future hired inspectors.

During its meeting Monday night, the council delayed authorizing a $32 million science laboratory project at Central High School that is scheduled to receive up to 80 percent reimbursement by the state. Some councilors, voting to send the matter to committee for further review, said they are concerned that two other capital priorities have not yet been funded — a new senior center planned at Blunt Park, and a renovation-expansion of the Clifford A. Phaneuf Environmental Science Center at Forest Park.

The two-year contract with the Springfield Building Department Inspectors Association, representing 11 employees, has no pay raise for this fiscal year, retroactive to July 1, and a 2 percent pay raise that will take effect on July 1, 2013.

Some councilors praised Human Resources Director William E. Mahoney for including a residency clause in the contract. Any employees in that union hired after July 1, 2012, must comply with the city’s residency requirement, the contract states.

While the city has an ordinance that has required residency since 1985, it has been challenged often. has exempted various labor groups including police and firefighters, and has been largely unenforced, officials said.

Councilor Michael Fenton said the council plans to resolve the residency issue this year through a continued review of the existing ordinance and proposed revisions.

“The residency requirement is only as good as this body makes it,” Fenton said. “We will do it this year.”

Councilor Bud L. Williams praised the residency clause with the building inspectors, saying the city must get more employees to live in the city, which will lead to more money spent in Springfield and building the tax base.

The city “is the laughing stock” of the region when it comes to getting its employees to live in the city, Williams said. In addition, many of those who work for the city but live outside, “bad mouth the city,” he said.

The salary for inspectors now ranges from $49,109 to $63,867, depending on years of employment and if they are senior inspectors

Most labor contracts with municipal and school unions expired June 30.

Mahoney said 12 contracts expired with municipal unions and 10 expired with school unions on June 30. The building inspectors are the first municipal union to reach agreement with the city on a new contract.

The council, by a 7-6 vote, chose to refer a proposed $32 million renovation-expansion project at Central High School to its Finance Committee for further review. The project is slated to include renovating of the existing science laboratories, building a science wing to create 12 new laboratories, along with a new roof and sprinkler system for the entire school.

Acting Chief Administrative and Financial Officer Timothy J. Plante said the Massachusetts School Building Authority had approved the project for up to 80 percent reimbursement of eligible costs, meaning the state would pay up to approximately $25 million of the cost.

Councilor Clodovaldo Concepcion was among councilors saying they were not ready to vote on that project when there is no clear answer yet if funding will be made available for the new senior center and environmental science building.

Plante said Mayor Domenic J. Sarno considers both projects to be priorities, but is waiting for additional federal disaster aid in Springfield before finalizing bonding for the priorities cited by the council.

Councilor E. Henry Twiggs was among councilors urging the council to move the Central High School project forward, with 80 percent reimbursement.